Oirase Gorge reveals different natural sceneries all year round, leaving you wanting to visit again and again.

Oirase Gorge is a designated natural monument and natural special scenic spot, and is one of the most well-known scenic spots in Japan. With a 14-kilometer long path surrounded by nature and untouched by mankind, from the huge waterfalls to the beautiful streams flowing, there are numerous breath-taking spots there.

Rent a car from Aomori Airport, which will take around an hour and 15 minutes to reach Oirase Gorge.

From Tokyo Station, take the Tohoku Shinkansen to Hachinohe Station. There is a JR Bus that departs from Hachinohe Station to Oirase Gorge. Make sure to get off at the designated stop called "Oirase Field Museum (Oirase Keiryū-kan)."

Note About Seasons: In the winter months, a reservation-only bus (the Oirase-go) is required to reach the Field Museum stop. These reservations can be made online at JR Bus Tohoku’s website here.

Notably, the JR Bus departs from Shin-Aomori Station and Hachinohe Station, both of which are served by the Shinkansen bullet train. This convenient option ensures that Oirase Gorge, despite being a natural treasure spot, is easily accessible to visitors.

In addition to covering Shinkansen and JR lines, both the JR EAST PASS and the JAPAN RAIL PASS are valid for the local line of JR Bus Tohoku.

Important: The buses can accommodate around 50 passengers and may become crowded during peak seasons. As the buses do not have onboard toilets, it is advisable to plan accordingly and make necessary restroom arrangements before boarding.

The JR Bus Tohoku offers convenient bus transportation between JR Bus Towadako Station, Hachinohe Station, and Aomori Station.

Buses come relatively infrequently, so plan ahead and check the bus schedules so that you can time your pace. See the full timetable on JR Bus Tohoku’s website here.

The picturesque walking path of Oirase Gorge stretches for 14 kilometers, from Nenokuchi along the lakeside of Lake Towada up to Yakeyama Mountain.

The beauty of Oirase Gorge is that it is accessible not only to pedestrians but also to cars. The sightseeing path is designed to accommodate vehicles, featuring several bus stops at various renowned attractions. Additionally, for those seeking a more active experience, rental bicycles are available, allowing you to choose the most suitable route and mode of transportation based on your preferences and physical fitness.

Exploring the fascinating points of interest and scenic spots is a breeze as they are easily accessible from the main road. The straightforward layout of the road ensures that you won't lose your way, making navigation along the route hassle-free.

The walk from Oirase Field Museum (Oirase Keiryū-kan) to Nenokuchi will take between three and four hours. If you intend to walk the entire course, plan ahead and check the bus schedules so that you can time your pace.

Adventurous individuals may choose to embrace the challenge of walking the entire route. With mostly flat terrain, it is not nearly as arduous as a mountain hike.

Those unsure if they want to walk the whole trail can opt for a more leisurely experience by embarking on a two-hour bicycle journey. This option offers a nice balance of activity and swiftness.

For the convenience of visitors, various tourist information centers and rest areas in the vicinity offer electric bicycles to rent. These bikes provide the perfect balance of assistance, enabling you to traverse the route comfortably and at an appropriate level of exertion.

Bike Rental Details:
・Three bicycle rental and return stations along the walking route
・City bicycle (6 gears): 1,000 yen (with tax) for four hours
・Electric bicycle (3-speed): 1,500 yen (with tax) for four hours
・One notable advantage is the flexibility to return the rental bicycles to a different reception point from where they were obtained. This eliminates the need to transport the bikes all the way back to the original rental station, making the return process hassle-free and convenient.

Rental Locations:
・Oirase Field Museum (Yakeyama entrance)
・Ishigedo rest stop
・Nenokuchi

Conveniently, there are several temporary parking spaces available along the walking route, allowing visitors to easily access different areas by car. Traveling along the route by bus is also an option, though it's important to note that buses are limited. Therefore, it is advisable to thoroughly check the timetables for the buses at your desired destinations before relying on them for transportation.

What you need will largely depend on the season in which you visit. While not an incredibly difficult hike, you’ll still want to have the essentials. For example, the essential gear for a summer visit might be the following.

Clothing:
・Long-sleeved shirts and pants (even in summer)
・Comfortable shoes that can withstand getting wet
・Warm layer (temperature in the gorge can be significantly different than urban areas)
・Hat for sun protection
・Towel

Safety & Comfort:
・Insect repellent (essential in summer)
・Bear spray (recommended as a precautionary measure)
・Ample water supply (hiking expends substantial energy)

As mentioned before, the terrain in Oirase Gorge is mostly flat, so there is no need to prepare as if you were embarking on a mountain climb. However, proper preparation ensures comfort throughout the day.

It is important to note that the temperature difference in the gorge can be significantly greater than in urban areas. Therefore, in addition to suitable clothing for the high summer heat, it is also advisable to bring along some warm clothing to ensure comfort throughout the day.

If hiking in the winter, then you must have all the required hiking gear, waterproof winter clothes, and boots that allow for hiking through thick snow.

Oirase Field Museum is the entrance to the gorge. Here, you can not only learn about the famous spots and the history of Oirase Keiryū, but buy snacks and food too. You can grab some water and sweet snacks before embarking on your journey.

If visiting in summer, Oirase Gorge is a popular place for escaping the heat. The forest is cooler than the surrounding area, and the breeze as you ride your bicycle is pleasant. Riding or walking along the path while surrounded by nature can be very therapeutic.

The first scenic spot along the trail is Samidare Stream. The Samidare Stream got its name from how it splits into three from a single stream, and is one of the main streams of Oirase Keiryū.

The beauty and force of the remerging of the three streams can only be described by the roar of the stream, accentuating this work of art that nature has created. Though it's also beautiful in summer and autumn, the azaleas blooming along the rocks in May makes for a different scene

As you head away from Samidare Stream and continue towards Nenokuchi, there lies the Ishikedo rest stop. It's connected to the walking path, and after a short walk from it, a large stone object emerges.

"Ishikedo" is a local dialect for "small stone house". It's said to be home of a beautiful thief named Kijin-no-Omatsu, who, according to legend, kills travelers and steals their money.

In stark contrast to such a fearsome legend, the walking path here is beautiful, calm, and removed from the flowing stream. Though Oirase Keiryū largely follows the flow of the streams, this area has some beautiful scenery, and is recommended for those who would like to take a short walk too.

This is the most famous part of the Oirase trail. The Ashura Stream has appeared in numerous television commercials and posters, and numerous visitors come touting cameras.

Named after the god of war, Ashura, the raging flow of the stream between the rocks and trees is a testament to its strength and magnificence. But more than that, the continuous flow of the stream and the greenery of the plants is simply gorgeous, enveloping the area in a mysterious atmosphere.

Besides the Ashura Stream, this area has one more hidden scenic spot that you can't miss out on. The Chisuji-no-Taki Waterfall, which translates to "thousand thread waterfall", has a beautiful and intricate flow from which it gets its name. The waterfall has a calm and transcendent beauty to its flow.

The Kamoi-no-Taki Waterfall, which translates to "cloud well waterfall", is a 20-meter tall fall. The waterfall got its name from its cloud-like water sprays. Here you can experience both the power of nature and the quiet space surrounding it, creating an amazing juxtaposition of the natural world.

After heading along the driving road from the Kamoi-no-Taki Waterfall, you will reach the Nenokuchi area. As this place has many waterfalls and streams, we recommended strolling around the area to catch the best sights. Along the way, there are some benches and seating areas, allowing you to rest and enjoy the surrounding nature.

Along this path, you’ll come upon the Tamadare-no-Taki Waterfall, with its six-meter-tall drop.

The must see spot in this area is the Chōshi-Ōtaki Waterfall, standing at a proud twenty meters wide and seven meters tall. The only waterfall to originate from the main stream of Oirase Keiryū, it is said to have gotten its name from its sake-bottle shape as it flows into Lake Towada.

Because of the waterfall, fish are unable to swim upstream. As such, Lake Towada is not home to fish that live for many years. You can feel the massive scale of the falls up close, and heal yourself with the abundance of negative ions.

The color contrast with the bright autumn colors is beautiful at this waterfall.

A bridge near Chōshi-Ōtaki Waterfall offers perfect photo opportunities. To capture all these calming scenes, don't forget your camera.

Besides all these magnificent nature spots, do watch where you stop when on the walking path. Oirase Keiryū has over 300 varieties of moss growing, with trees both standing and fallen, rocks, and signboards covered in green. The intricate designs and textures of the moss form over long periods of time and it's a valuable scene unique to the humid and moist environment of Oirase Keiryū.

The moss is so popular that there are people who tour the area with a magnifying glass in hand to observe nature up close.

Besides all these magnificent nature spots, do watch where you stop when on the walking path. Oirase Keiryū has over 300 varieties of moss growing, with trees both standing and fallen, rocks, and signboards covered in green. The intricate designs and textures of the moss form over long periods of time and it's a valuable scene unique to the humid and moist environment of Oirase Keiryū.

The moss is so popular that there are people who tour the area with a magnifying glass in hand to observe nature up close.

Summer is when the forests are covered in luscious green. You can feel the abundance of life in Oirase Gorge at the peak of when nature comes to life. Though it is the hottest season, Oirase Gorge is a popular place for escaping the heat. Its cool climate and beautiful sights to enjoy are one of its main draws. Oirase Gorge is a magical escape in the summer that provides great hiking and incredibly scenic views.

As the fall leaves come into their brightest colors, Oirase Gorge can truly feel like a Japanese fairytale. The color contrasts and bright hues create great photo opportunities and breathless moments in awe of nature. While the fall season does attract the most crowds, it is absolutely worth it to capture the magic of Oirase Gorge during this season.

Winter can be a spectacular season to visit. However it is best recommended for travelers who have done their homework. Some of the walking trails will be closed and the amount of snowfall can be severe. That being said, the picturesque landscapes and freezing temperatures can create some stunning scenes. The waterfall can freeze into a "hyōbaku," or icefall, in winter, giving you an amazing natural work of art.

As the forest comes to life again after a long winter, spring provides more temperate weather and beautiful flowers. Most notably, the azaleas bloom along the rocks in May and create a completely different scene than the lush green of sumer. Spring is also a time where there are less visitors than autumn, so it can be good for travelers who want nice weather and want to avoid the crowds.

Oirase Gorge is one of the most picturesque places in Japan. Its natural beauty is a sight to behold all year round, which makes it a great destination for travelers who want to see more of natural Japan, and maybe stay away from the busy cities and tourist-beaten paths. With its accessible location and ease of access, it's absolutely a highly recommended place to visit in the Tohoku area, and a place you can visit multiple times as the seasons and the views change.